We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Matt Chow.
Bible Reading:
Galatians 6:1-5
1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.
Word:
In today’s society, we are told to look out for number one. We boast how we are “Self-Made,” or “Self- taught,” or totally “Self-reliant.” But all of those are lies. We were made to exist in relationships with other people.
In today’s scripture reading, Paul talks about how groups of Christians can live in Christ together. We are stronger as a community of believers than we are individually. It is in our nature to sin. When we commit our lives over to God, we confess to stop living for the sin of our human flesh and desires.
However, we all know that from time to time we do sin. This does not mean we no longer have a relationship with Christ. Paul says to share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2) It is our obligation as brothers and sisters in Christ to help one another when we fall away from God’s desire for our lives.
Paul tells us to work together to restore one another when we fall into sin. When we are restoring someone who has sin, we must do it gently and with humility. It’s like the coach in your CrossFit class who corrects your movement. You are more likely to listen with an open ear to a coach that explains your flaws and makes subtle suggestions, rather than someone that is yelling at you and telling you that you are doing everything wrong.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for surrounding me with a community of believers that can encourage me and hold me accountable when I step away from you. I pray that you will use me to help others in their time of need as well. I pray that you open my heart and ears to hear the advice of other brothers and sisters who only want what is best for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Skillwork:
Do you have a community of brothers or sisters that can hold you accountable? I have found that if I am struggling with a sin, the best way is to tell someone that I trust. Ask them to help you and to hold you accountable.
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